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May 31: The Kamrup (metro) district administration will put in place a slew of measures to ensure that the Ambubachi Mela at the Kamakhya temple from June 22 to 26 passes off smoothly.
Lakhs of devotees from across the country arrive here every monsoon during the mela. This year, around 2.5 lakh devotees are expected.
Like the previous years, this time, too, the district administration has made arrangements for food and board for the devotees, many of who will start arriving here ahead a few days ahead of the mela.
The GMC along with the state public health engineering department will provide adequate drinking water during the occasion.
Though makeshift washrooms will be arranged for the devotees, their numbers have been to be ascertained yet.
“The GMC has been instructed to provide adequate water round the clock on the premises of the Kamakhya temple during the Ambubachi Mela. Water tankers will be installed at different points of the temple for the visitors. We will be surveying the premises of the temple in a day or two and then we will decide on the number of makeshift washrooms and water taps that need to be installed,” Kamrup (metro) deputy commissioner Ashutosh Agnihotri said.
The district administration has, however, prohibited the supply of food for visitor from outside. People who wish to give food to the devotees will have to prepare it in a cooking area, which will be arranged on the temple premises.
“This has been done to ensure that no contaminated food is offered to the devotees. Besides, food inspectors will also be present and will test the food that is being prepared. Since chances of various diseases increase during the monsoons, we are laying much emphasis on the quality of food and water,” said Agnihotri.
“While the GMC will engage its workers to clean the temple and makeshift washrooms, the Kamakhya Debuttar Borad will also have to engage its volunteers for the purpose. But the devotees, too, will have to make an effort to keep the surroundings clean,” said Agnihotri.
The Kamrup (metro) health service will depute medial teams on the temple premises to provide healthcare facilities to any person who may be taken ill. These teams will stock up on medicines.
While four ambulances will be stationed at the venue, the 108 Emergency Ambulance Service will also be available if required.
The administration will deploy adequate numbers of security personnel on the temple premises. CCTV cameras will be put up to keep tabs on the movement of people coming and going out of the temple.
“Apart from police personnel, homeguards, scouts and guides will be present to manage the crowd. We have also restricted the movement of vehicles near the temple,” said Agnihotri.
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